Hive!

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

Hive!

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Distant Worlds 1 Series >> After Action Reports >> Hive!

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Hive! - 10/23/2010 4:54:25 PM

llanite_slith

Posts: 45
Joined: 10/23/2010
Status: offline

By the Eye of the OverMind, learn these histories little hatchlings, that you may go forth as the next generation of conquerors. Much has changed the Hive's understanding of the universe and our place in it over the past few years. We of the Sluken were once a scattered race - battling the giant Omvar or Hivehome as the glaciers of the last ice age retreated. Many hives saw the advantages of technology - for we Sluke are neither the strongest nor the fastest on this world of predators and prey. The queens and underminds of many hives sought the warrior technologies - armor, explosives, projectiles, and finally flight.

It was long known that the neighboring moon of Mother was habitable to our kind, but no hive would permit the others to fly the black reaches to colonize this undiscovered country. Instead, we warred on each other for thousands of years - burning the egg creches, devouring the underminds of each colony, absorbing populations of rivals into our own homes and nests. Like the sluuk crabs of the twelfth continent - none allowing the others to climb from the cooking pot - all pulling down all into the boiling morass.

Until the invention of the Overmind.

For each sluken among us, we are ourselves, independent, proud, and weak.
For each tribe among us, we are one of many, joined together in hivemind to our queen and our undermind caste that regulates our daily actions in the hive - trade, defense, and all manner of artifice. In Hive we are One of Many.

The invention of the Overmind changed that. Now, Queens share thoughts with Queens, all are as newly hatched underminds to the glory of the Many. What is an individual hive capable of? Their shared mind is a drop - and what is a drop of rain, compared to the storm? What is a thought, compared to the mind? Our unity is full of wonder...

_____________________________

The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who seek them.

Post #: 1

RE: Hive! - 10/23/2010 6:08:37 PM

llanite_slith

Posts: 45
Joined: 10/23/2010
Status: offline

And thus, united, we took to the stars. We colonized the other moon of Mother and sent explorers out among the heavens... only to discover we were not alone.

Perhaps it is divine fortune that placed our world in a narrow strip between two waste areas in the distribution of local stars. During our formative years we avoided the attention of the larger predators that wander among the planets. But as soon as we gained starflight, they were upon us - galactic pirates with no clan or Hive to call their own had a base at a nearby star

and began preying upon our merchant ships - our gatherers for the Hive!

Their end was swift, but with the creation of our first squadron of star warriors came the realization that the stars are just another plain teeming with predators and prey. Analysis of the remains of these interstellar vagrants showed the presence of four different races, and technologies different from our own. Now our explorers proceeded more cautiously.

And in the months that followed we encountered another interstellar civilization, similarly new to star flight, and more friendly that our previous encounter.

We soon learned that these creatures, the Keterov, lacked not only Hive, but also Overmind. They held as anathema the sharing of thoughts with others and the communal good that comes from it. A race of individuals... like the prairie lice of our own world - mammalian, living together but not of one mind. One day these shall be prey! This was our thought at the time.

But we continued with our plans for the moment. Our first interstellar colony was established in the Abset system:

And the interstellar communication protocols for Hive's Overmind implant technology was perfected - our collective conciousness spanned the stars!

(in reply to llanite_slith)

Post #: 2

RE: Hive! - 10/23/2010 7:50:43 PM

llanite_slith

Posts: 45
Joined: 10/23/2010
Status: offline

Interstellar trade made our hives rich on Hivehome, where Yarros marble was discovered to have a unique value among the teeming interstellar masses. For us, however, our goal was whole worlds - free skies for the scuttling billions of Hivehome. Up to now, we had not realized the galaxy was a populous place.

The best thinkers of our time, Brains of the learning centers scattered across Hivehome, began to believe in the Pan-spermia / Poly-spermia theory. Studies of the genetic materials of the Keterov and other intelligent species revealed similar genetic structures that suggested primitive life must be carried naturally across the stars by comets and other natural events.

This theory held true until the discovery of the Spider Web.

Toward the galctic center, across the empty Adare Arm, our exploration ship Eyes of the Overmind discovered a series of worlds, closely linked, all with a single intelligent race inhabiting them. These arachnoids - all calling themselves the Dhayut - had built industrial, but non-starfaring civilizations on three different worlds. The Hive Overmind debated for many cycles, but the studies were conclusive and matched the discovery of ruins on other worlds our explorers were visiting. The Pan-spermia theory could not account for such things, and instead a theory around ancient star travel by many races, including, perhaps, ours, began to emerge. This new theory, Archaeo-spermia, has been supported by all our later discoveries.

As to the fate of the arachnoids, the Overmind's latest implants have been tested on other intelligent species, but never applied to whole populations. The acquisition and submission of such a hardy and agressive species would open many avenues for conquest and colonization.

The First Fleet was sent to establish orbital control of each world, knocking out communication satellites and destroying other attempts at resistance from the spiders. This was followed by the arrival of the 5th Fleet. Ten divisions rained down nuclear destruction on their population centers. Hover tanks and dropships of armored sluken infantry engaged these mighty fighters on their home soil and won each time. The Hive and the Sluken were triumphant!

One by one the worlds fell and the spiders were brought into the Polity of Sluken's Overmind. As they submitted, the Dhayut became productive members of society - forming new divisions of infantry and colonizing worlds inhospitable to the Hive. These mandibles I use were taken as trophywear from the defender of one of their capitol cities. I beheaded the beast in single combat with my monowire whip as he defended their government's last stronghold.

Now, with three spider worlds and almost two billion new citizens surviving the implantation of the Hive's Overmind, we grew strong.

But other starfaring races were coming into contact with ours.

Eleven other races ringed ours and claimed territory to the galactic north, east, and south, all expanding and exploiting dwindling strategic resources for their own.

Finally, conflict arose. The Ackdarian Kingdom claimed a world and system where our Dhayut had placed a colony on the desert world of Arbuir.

The Overmind considered its response...

(in reply to llanite_slith)

Post #: 3

RE: Hive! - 10/23/2010 8:57:34 PM

Igard

Posts: 2282
Joined: 3/29/2010
From: Scotland
Status: offline

The Sluken are my favourite insectoid race and you've done a great job conveying their character here.

Keep it up. Looking forward to reading more.

_____________________________

The Picard Era for Distant Worlds

Igard's Romulan Stormbird

(in reply to llanite_slith)

Post #: 4

RE: Hive! - 10/24/2010 1:08:25 AM

WriterNotViking

Posts: 94
Joined: 8/7/2010
From: The Netherlands
Status: offline

Reads well. Good luck against the Ackdarians. Never liked those bug-eyed freaks.

(in reply to Igard)

Post #: 5

RE: Hive! - 10/25/2010 12:50:16 PM

llanite_slith

Posts: 45
Joined: 10/23/2010
Status: offline

Another update tonight - the end end of the first phase of the Hive's galactic conquest, and not with who you think

_____________________________

The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who seek them.

(in reply to llanite_slith)

Post #: 6

RE: Hive! - 10/26/2010 3:09:01 AM

Rebel Yell

Posts: 470
Joined: 6/21/2003
From: The Woodlands, TX USA
Status: offline

Glad you have this going. Makes miss Emperor Fred just a tiny bit less.

_____________________________

I used to enjoy these forums. So many people that need the green dot now.

(in reply to llanite_slith)

Post #: 7

RE: Hive! - 10/26/2010 2:37:10 PM

llanite_slith

Posts: 45
Joined: 10/23/2010
Status: offline

The Overmind considered the opportunities around the amphibian's demands. We have no friends among the stars - all fear the Many and what they do not understand. Despite a good reputation and fair trade dealings, we were distrusted by the interstellar community. If we went to war, others would use this conflict to exploit our weaknesses.

Further,our recent expansion had put us temporarily into deficit spending compared to our economic and trade balance. The Hive had consumed more than it could digest in its rush to plant colonies and our exoskeleton strained to contain our girth. Thus we must have looked like prey to the scavengers among the stars. So, conflict would come, but the Hive's quest would be to make it come at a time and place of our own choosing.

Three primary enemies circle our collective hivemound- Namaryni, Zenoxi, and the weaker amphibians.

So, we plan for conflict - and to spend and conquer our way out of our current recession. A strike fleet is built and the fleet of troop ships built for the arachnid conflict is fueled and readied. We traded to the amphibians - the colony on Arbuir for valuable hyperdrive technology and the time to complete our plans. We traded the drive to other races for cash to finance our debt and fleets.

Intelligence gathering ships disguised as civilian explorers surveyed our enemy systems - like scount ants exploring an enemy mound. The Namaryni appeared too powerful for our current forces. The amphibians too weak - a blow against them would only open us to a counter move by others with no comparable advantage. Acting against the Zenoxi appeared to have two advantages - a relatively compact empire, and one where a strike against them will take out one of our two primary enemies (using military strength as a comparator). Further, they are already in conflict with one of the starfaring Haakon corporations, a race we've had friendly dealings with in the past.

However, their capitol system was too distant for a direct strike. But it is a rich prize- three inhabited worlds and a half dozen mining stations - a worthy addition to the Sluken polity and one we thought would break the back of the Zenoxi' resistance. Plans were made. A secret base was established on Yaven 5 - a fueling station hidden in the upper atmosphere of the gas giant. The main strike fleet, the invasion squadron loaded with troops, and supporting squadrons from several star systems assembled around the gas giant. The system was perfect - the right distance between our space and the Zenoxi, and uninhabited except for some ancient ruins on the fourth moon of Yaven - a jungle world used as a hidden base by some forgotten space force in some ancient battle.

While our preparations were being made, a war of spies and trade was initiated by the enemy cabal.

Half a dozen star nations declared embargoes against us and spies in the pay of the Namaryni and Zenoxi attempted the infiltration of different facilities across our empire. Fortunately they would not get the opportunity to escalate the conflict on their terms.

When our fleet was ready, we declared war on the Zenoxi. The Zenoxi responded immediately by chasing off our intelligence gathering ships and mobilizing their fleets.

The Namaryni, however, did not follow their declaration with military actions - they feared us, then and now! And rightfully so - for we shall one day end their precious individuality.

(in reply to Rebel Yell)

Post #: 8

RE: Hive! - 10/26/2010 2:45:38 PM

llanite_slith

Posts: 45
Joined: 10/23/2010
Status: offline

Meanwhile, around Yaven 5, our ancillary squadrons launched against the rich home system of the Zenoxi. These were aimed at the mining stations of the home system - away from their home world. Like the feint made before the killing strike on a giant omvar, these raids were made to draw off the Zenoxi' 17 ship home defense fleet.

The effort worked, but not without a price. Those system defense squadrons were decimated and few escaped to the Haakon home system to regroup and refuel. This relationship we worked in advance - for the Haakon also hated the cats and had fought with them on other occasions.

Finally the strike fleet exited hyperspace on top of the cat's orbital defenses and the true battle was joined. I must tell you hatchlings - I was part of that glorious battle. As we rode in on the troop ships you could see the strike fleet engaging the orbital batteries and being decimated. In the Overmind you could hear the silencing of those brave crews. I could see their attack ships burning off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser orbital station as it fell from the sky and burned. And then we were in the atmosphere - our drop ships released like so many floridan spores in the clouds of the upper atmosphere. Our lasers burned the cat interceptors as we screamed down toward their starports and cities. Our division was responsible for assaulting their global defense headquarters. Glorious was the fight that day as we swarmed their strongpoints! The orange pelt I've incorporated into my carapace was taken on that day as I defended our dropship's landing zone from the cat's counterattacks. It keeps me warm in my old age.

But in spite of our tactical victories we almost over-reached ourselves on the strategic front. Our orbital forces were chased off by the defending enemy fleets, leaving our forces isolated on the ground. We fought on and were ultimately triumphant on the surface- taking the cat's cities and forcing their surrender to the Hive and Overmind. Now, however, the enemy's counterattacks began to take their toll - from the other two inhabited planets came constant attacks, supported by the remnants of their home fleet. The enemy's orbital defense platforms were re-purposed by our forces and the remnants of the strike fleet returned to defend our new prize, but the ferocity of the Zenoxi prevented us from exploiting our initial assault and taking the rest of the system.

It took months of fighting and additional shipments of forces from the arachnid worlds to subjugate the nearest of the worlds. And an assault on the innermost world failed utterly - the Zenoxi refused to submit. More evil days were to come however. Just when we had assembled an invasion force capable of conquering the final cat stronghold in their home system, we were surprised by a cat fleet detected in deep space - headed for our own home system! The Zenoxi were trying our own tactic against us!

(in reply to llanite_slith)

Post #: 9

RE: Hive! - 10/26/2010 5:08:31 PM

llanite_slith

Posts: 45
Joined: 10/23/2010
Status: offline

It'll be the end of the week before my next update - real life calls.

Thanks for the comments- I haven't written AARs for long time - and compliments definitely keep me encouraged.

Oh, and did anyone notice the easter eggs? Direct references and quotes to Star Wars, System Shock 2, Blade Runner, and maybe one or two more

_____________________________

The secrets of this earth are not for all men to see, but only for those who seek them.

(in reply to llanite_slith)

Post #: 10

RE: Hive! - 11/1/2010 4:44:01 PM

J HG T

Posts: 1093
Joined: 5/14/2010
From: Kiadia Prime
Status: offline

"We do not know death... only change. We cannot kill each other without killing ourselves. Is your vision... so small... that you cannot see the value of our way?"
*Shivers* SS1&2 still give me nightmares after all these years.

Great AAR. Darn, I should do one too sometime.

_____________________________

Nothing is impossible, not if you can imagine it!
"And they hurled themselves into the void of space with no fear."

(in reply to llanite_slith)

Post #: 11

RE: Hive! - 2/3/2011 6:33:53 AM

HectorOfTroy